Water management
We receive plenty of rain in the Cairns region. Our Wet Tropics environment depends on large amounts of rain in the wet season to nourish the fragile network of flora and fauna in our rainforests, rivers and reef.
We must share our water between domestic, industrial, commercial and agricultural users, whilst at the same time ensuring sufficient water supplies to maintain natural environmental values.
Council's Water Demand Management Strategy 2009 -2012 (see Related Documents at right) details our key activities to reduce water demand and improve water use efficiency.
Watering and sprinkler times
- Mondays: No sprinkling at all
- Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays: ODD Numbered Homes Only
- Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays: EVEN Numbered Homes Only
- Times: 5.00am to 9.00am and 5.00pm to 9.00pm
- Hand held hoses with a trigger nozzle, watering cans and buckets can be used at all times.
- Read more on how to save water in the related documents area.
Mandatory water savings
- New homes
- Commercial buildings
Water management in Port Douglas & Mossman region
The water supply for the Port Douglas & Mossman region is sourced from Rex Creek. During extended dry periods, the Rex Creek supply is insufficient to meet the community's normal water demands and leave enough behind for a healthy waterways environment. This was demonstrated in 2009, when Rex Creek water flows nearly dried up, necessitating water restrictions to reduce the demand on drinking water. There is no water storage system as a buffer when rainfall is low; it is totally dependant on the 'run of river'.
Demand per capita in Port Douglas and Mossman is high - currently between 1300 and 1500 litres per person per day, which is equivalent to 130-150 x 10 litre buckets per day.
To address this, Council is delivering an $11m sustainable water managment plan for the Port Douglas & Mossman region, part funded by the Australian Government's Water for the Future initiative through the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns program. We have an extensive program of capital projects and initiatives to meet the region's future water demands, including the free Commercial Water Advisory Service for businesses in the region. See Related Documents and Related Links at right for more and visit www.oursustainablewater.com.au for full details about our sustainable water management plan.
Recycled water
Recycled water is treated wastewater. Using recycled water reduces the demand on our drinking water supplies and reduces the amount of treated wastewater being discharged into the ocean and rivers.
Recycled water will be supplied via a separate reticulation network, for non-drinking purposes to connected homes and businesses, public parks and gardens. Recycled water can be used for irrigation and flushing toilets, and helps reduce the demand on potable (drinking quality) water supplies.